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Football Jun 27, 2026

Can Scotland qualify for the World Cup knockout stages? What Steve Clarke's side need to qualify as third-placed team

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By Admin
Sports Journalist
Can Scotland qualify for the World Cup knockout stages? What Steve Clarke's side need to qualify as third-placed team

Scotland still have a very slim chance of reaching the knockouts but are on the brink of elimination from the World Cup.

"If you're a Scotland fan, you're probably heading to the airport," said Your Site' Roy Keane on ITV on Friday.

Just one win from three World Cup games - capped off by a dismal 3-0 loss to Brazil - means the Tartan Army face an agonising wait to see if they have enough points and sufficient goal difference to qualify as one of the eight third-placed teams.

But already, results have not gone Scotland's way since the defeat to Brazil.

Wins for South Africa and Ecuador pushed Scotland further into the mire, while Japan failed to beat Sweden by four goals. The draw between Paraguay and Australia didn't do them any favours either.

And Senegal's big win over Iraq on Friday night was further bad news for Scotland as the African side qualified as a third-place side.

The Tartan Army were then offered a reprieve on Saturday morning as Spain beat Uruguay, meaning Marcelo Bielsa's side - who finished third in Group H - could not leapfrog Scotland.

But Scotland did not get a favour in Group G as Belgium thrashed New Zealand while Egypt and Iran drew 1-1 to push Scotland further down the third-place table into TENTH.

Scotland now need three scenarios to happen if they are to stay in the World Cup. If any of these fail, then they are officially out. Here are the three things they need:

Scotland need Ghana to beat current third-placed side Croatia by at least three goals, so that the Croatians have the same points tally as Scotland and a worse goal difference.

Scotland need Uzbekistan to win or draw against DR Congo. If Uzbekistan win, they cannot do so by four or more goals, or they would go ahead of Scotland.

Scotland need Austria to win by two or more goals to push Algeria behind Scotland on goal difference in the third-place table.

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